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Background

Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) are the predominant legal method for addressing transboundary environmental problems. Nowadays States, particularly least developed countries and developing countries, face the challenge of implementing over 300 MEAs with limited technical, financial and human resource capabilities. Several countries need to develop their capacities for the better implementation of environmental obligations at the national level in order to ensure adequate application and compliance of MEAs. Thus, training and capacity development are key resources for effective global environmental protection.

UNITAR is aware of the fact that States need to enhance their national capacities in order to meet their environmental obligations. For this reason UNITAR offers the Series of e-Learning Courses on International Environmental Law that is composed of 4 courses.

Event Objectives

The overall goal of this course is to provide participants with a comprehensive introduction to a specialized topic in the field of international relations which is steadily growing in importance. Thus, the course presents concepts, processes and techniques on negotiation in general and multilateral negotiations in particular before considering the distinctive features of environmental negotiations. In addition, the course offers practical skills development for successful participation in an international environmental negotiation.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course participants will able to:

Define intergovernmental negotiation and develop an understanding of the factors shaping the behavior of negotiators.

Explain the dynamic nature of international negotiations, describing the tools that negotiators use to achieve their ends.

Describe the characteristics of multilateral negotiations and differentiate between the groups of actors involved.

Develop an understanding of the institutional context in which multilateral negotiations take place.

Distinguish environmental negotiations from other types of international negotiations.

Develop an understanding of the importance of the identity and personality of negotiators

Identify the best strategy and negotiation skills to be used in an international environmental negotiation.

Content and Structure

The Course is composed of following lessons:

Lesson 1: Negotiations in General

Lesson 2: Multilateral Negotiations

Lesson 3: Environmental Negotiations

Lesson 4: Advice to Negotiators.

Depending on the lesson, there is a slight variation of the amount of study time required. As an average, participants can expect to devote approximately 10 hours per week to review the course content and complete course activities.

Methodology

The course design allows participants to actively interact with their peers and the moderator. Guided discussion forums are organized on selected topics to allow experience and knowledge sharing. Participants also have the opportunity to work with practical examples, analysing case studies and conducting short research.

The course is moderated by a subject matter expert. The course moderator will facilitate the learning process and guide participants throughout its duration. To assure an adequate level of interaction the cohort is limited to 30 participants.

Targeted Audience

This course is designed for government officials from ministries of the environment, agriculture, forests, water, tourism and foreign affairs. It also targets international civil servants, NGO representatives, judges, prosecutors and lawyers working in the fields of environmental law/management, international relations/politics and sustainable development. Additionally, it is directed at academics, private sector professionals and graduates interested in specializing in International Environmental Law.

Additional Information

Certificates: Participants who successfully complete all the course activities and assessments will receive a Certificate of Participation issued by UNITAR.

Technical Requirements: The course is delivered through UNITAR’s Virtual Learning Environment and participants will require a reliable internet connection throughout its duration. Consult the complete list of technical requirements here.

The International Environmental Negotiations is the fourth course in the Series of Courses on International Environmental Law, which includes three other titles: Introduction to International Environmental Law ; International Environmental Governance and Techniques and Procedures in International Environmental Law.

UNITAR offers 2 sessions of the Series per year, therefore the Series can be completed in one or more sessions. Upon the successful completion of the four courses, participants are entitled to receive a Certificate of Completion for the UNITAR Series of Courses on International Environmental Law. For additional information about the Series please click here.